You are sitting in a restaurant and have just ordered a Cacio e Pepe, a Roman classic, or perhaps a rougail, a tomato based favourite from the Mascarene Islands. If you listen carefully, you will likely hear snippets of French, Italian, English spoken with a variety of accents, Creole, Bhojpuri and Hindi. This mix of voices, rhythms and languages reflects the cultural mosaic of Mauritius, a true microcosm of the world.

History plays a big part in this diversity. Waves of migration from East Africa, China, England, France and India have shaped the island’s identity. During the spice trade era, Mauritius was an essential stopover for the great ships sailing toward the East Indies. Fast forward to 2018 and beyond, Mauritius has positioned itself as a gateway connecting three high potential markets: Africa, China and India.

Every day, Mauritius stays connected to the world through numerous international flights to major cities such as Paris, London, Dubai, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Nairobi, Istanbul, Perth, Kuala Lumpur, Frankfurt, Geneva and Singapore. The island is linked to Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East through leading airlines including Air Mauritius, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Kenya Airways and other regional partners.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, located in the southeast of the island, has undergone major modernisation over the past decade. This includes the construction of an eco friendly terminal and the progressive expansion of airport facilities. With an investment of around twenty billion Mauritian rupees, the airport now has the capacity to handle nearly five million passengers a year, with further upgrades planned by 2030 to support growing air traffic, business travel and premium tourism.

SSR Airport is now considered one of the most modern aviation hubs in the region, combining technology, efficiency and sustainability. It serves as a strategic gateway to the Indian Ocean and beyond.

Bilingualism, fast growing industries, a tax system with fewer constraints, double taxation agreements with forty three countries, an air corridor between Asia and Africa, strong historical ties with India and Europe, a key geographic position in the Indian Ocean and a diverse population all contribute to making Mauritius the economic and cultural nerve centre of the region.